Merry ChristmaHanuKwanza

December 21st, 2009

Do you feel like I do, that the spirit of this most sacred of holidays is more a spirit of capitalism than the celebrations of our religious heritages?  Why are people more reluctant than ever to wish you a Merry Christmas or a Happy Hanukah?  Are we afraid to offend someone because they may be different than us? Read More

A Chip on my Shoulder

December 14th, 2009

In recent months I have noticed that I sell, train and interact completely different than I did a year ago.  As I have reflected on the reasons why the difference. I discovered that I used to sell and train with a chip on my shoulder.  That’s right; I admit it, a chip on my shoulder! It is interesting because as I have finally taken notice of my old style of human interaction, I see more clearly than ever that others interact in similar fashion as I once did.  So, why the chip? Read More

Networking Anyone

December 7th, 2009

For the past 4 months I have been going crazy networking. I have been going to everything and anything – morning, noon and night. It leaves you exhausted! I can honestly say that I have learned many lessons though. I have learned that a diversified mix is good – open networking, closed networking and doing some volunteer work as well. It is good to be involved but do not over extend yourself. You want to be able to truly help the people who are part of these organizations. Read More

A Goal to Serve

November 25th, 2009

Here we are 2 weeks past from one of the most important days of recognition on our calendar—Veteran’s Day.  Just celebrating my 50th birthday and having my son, Capt. Elliott B. Lushin, USMC make a special visit to attend, it caused me to pause and take stalk of what my son and other Naval Aviators have undergone to be gladiators of the skies.  I have never encountered a more dedicated and committed group of Naval and Marine Corp Officers than the ones that trains and serves alongside my son.  Read More

The Internal Pilot Light

November 24th, 2009

With another year zipping by I found myself reflecting this past weekend on 2009.  One of the questions I asked myself was “why do I actually enjoy getting out of bed in the morning?” This question came about as I was talking with a close friend of mine who does not enjoy where he works.  After he left our house and the kids were in bed I started to wind down and think why I actually enjoy what I do. There are many reasons, but the number one reason was I like to help people. I know, sounds corny but when I thought about it, that was the truth. Read More

Locked In

November 12th, 2009

Lushin and Associates just completed its annual retreat lock-in.  Each year the staff of Lushin & Associates meets for a 24 hour informal conference to set course for the upcoming year.  Unlike others lock-ins, this year’s focus was on the economy and how best to serve our clients moving forward.  Additionally, we discussed our marketing and the importance of maintaining our high visibility. Read More

Mother Made Me Do It

November 10th, 2009

I recently had a meeting with Sharp Business Systems here in Indianapolis.  First, I have to say that it was a refreshing business meeting unlike some I have attended, but before the meeting ever started, I saw a “Guiding Principles” statement hanging on a wall.  What struck me was the second point which said “We operate our business in a manner that would make our parents proud.” Read More

Trick or Treat Prospecting

November 3rd, 2009

I learned a valuable lesson this weekend when trick-or-treating with my 2.5 year old son.  As we were putting his costume on I was explaining to him how we were going to go from door to door and say “trick or treat” and then he would get candy from the person at the door.  My wife stayed at the house so she could pass out the candy and stay with our newborn.  She frantically took pictures as we bolted out the door heading down the sidewalk in our neighborhood. Read More

Ceiling of Complexity

October 27th, 2009

Who invented the horseless carriage aka, the car?  Some might say it was Henry Ford while others know better.  Henry Ford didn’t invent the car, but rather the assembly line process.  Elwood H Haynes from Kokomo, Indiana was the first to invent a horseless carriage using an internal combustion engine.  Currently, his automobile is on display at the Smithsonian in Washington DC.  Think about whom of these two gentlemen have household names?  It’s not Elwood Haynes.  Did you also know that Central Indiana was once the epicenter of the automobile industry?  We had more automobile manufacturing plant then as Detroit has now.  So what happened? Read More

Christmas Time Commodity

October 20th, 2009

I don’t know about everyone else, but my wife’s family starts to gather Christmas lists and begins to shop in the month of October.  It seems like every year it becomes more difficult to purchase a gift for her parents.  This year we (all of the siblings and in-laws) decide to pitch in and buy a flat screen TV since they are in need for a new TV and would most likely never purchase one for themselves. Read More